Jordan Times
Friday, November 25, 2005
Mandate reform, fight against terror — Monarch
AMMAN (JT) — Following are excerpts of His
Majesty King Abdullah's Letter of Designation to Prime Minister-designate Marouf
Bakhit:
“I designate you to form a new government that would translate our vision of
reform, continue work, correct what can be deemed as a defect or unintentional
failure and learn lessons from shortcomings.
The aspirations of our people as well as our strategic goals to build a modern,
highly-productive and competitive Jordan, where citizens are armed with
knowledge, require democracy, pluralism, equal opportunity, the rule of law,
openness, modernisation, public freedoms and domestic security and stability.
Our people deserve that we do exert all our efforts and dedicate our time to
raise their standard of living and push them to higher levels of quality and
modernisation. They closely watch what governments do in a spirit of optimism
and positivism — which means that we should, relentlessly and unhesitatingly, go
ahead with the process of production, development and reform.
The terrorist bombings that hit some facilities in our precious capital, claimed
the lives of innocent citizens and left behind scores of injuries, add to our
determination to adhere to our constants and irreversible approach of reform and
democratisation. But at the same time, these attacks underline the need to
embrace a comprehensive strategy to face the culture of takfir; a strategy that
does not only adopt a security solution, but also takes into consideration the
intellectual, cultural and political dimensions. This requires drafting a law to
counter all forms of terrorism and wage a no-mercy war on the schools of takfir
that are nourished by bigotry, backwardness and isolationism, live on the
ignorance of simple and naïve people and work under the guidance of misleading
fatwas and approaches.
Therefore, the government is urged to give the necessary importance to the
concepts, meanings and goals of the Amman Message, especially under these
circumstances. The government should carry the Amman Message to every corner in
our country and to the largest portion of the Muslim world.
As we have always emphasised, reform is no longer an option, but a necessity of
life for the new Jordan we want. Therefore, the government is urged, rather
required, to entrench reform in its daily agenda of work, taking into
consideration that democracy is a path that we shall not deviate from. As all
know, democracy is a culture and a daily life practice rather than slogans
raised on certain occasions. Based on that, the government should work to
institutionalise the process of reform, modernisation and development. We find
in the recommendations of the National Agenda and regions committees what can be
considered guidelines the government can rely on to build a comprehensive reform
programme that addresses all the social, economic and political aspects.
In light of the output of these two panels, the government is required to
quickly draft a package of laws that, nevertheless, should cater for modernity
and justice and take various variables into consideration. These laws are a new
elections law, another on political parties and a third on municipalities. These
laws should pave the way for us to renew our political and parliamentary life,
ensure wider participation in the decision-making process and help place Jordan
on the map of creative countries that are capable of interacting with and
adapting to changes in light of the interests of people. This comes at a time
when the winds of globalisation are blowing and competition is raging. We need
productive people, free citizens, and a state of law and order to survive.
The government is also required to quickly draw up workable plans to immediately
alleviate poverty and unemployment. Similarly, it is required to compile a
clear, up-to-date and computerised database on poor families in the Kingdom to
ensure that aid goes to those who deserve it. Poverty and unemployment are major
obstacles and challenges to our ambitions — which requires us to join efforts to
create more jobs, especially for the young, qualified and experienced people.
The government also should include more and wider segments under the umbrella of
health insurance and social welfare, within the available capabilities.
To ensure the confidence of Arab and foreign investors in our promising
investment climate, the government is required to immediately start removing or
correcting all administrative and structural defects in economy, services or
facilities. It should remove obstacles placed by certain administrations and the
red tape they practise for several reasons, foremost of which lack of awareness,
apathy and unconvincing misinterpretations of the law. It should be noted here
that it is important to revisit the [Income] Tax Law in a way that would ensure
justice, boost investments, prevent tax evasion and beef up the treasury.
Like the previous government, it is also the job of this government to work
seriously and responsibly to combat corruption and nepotism. It should fight,
with no leniency, delay or reluctance, the corrupt and those who spread false
accusations with the aim of character assassination.”
King Abdullah also sent a letter to outgoing premier Adnan Badran, saying that
he appreciated his “distinguished performance and dedication.”
“You, and your colleagues, shouldered the responsibility and worked devotedly
despite the difficult circumstances and the pressure exercised on the government
from the day of its inception,” the Monarch said.